Is Kanye West Really The Next Steve Jobs?

In a far-reaching interview with The New York Times published on Wednesday, Kanye West said, "I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means." The recording artist continued: "I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump." But can the rap superstar really inherit the mantle of the man who dreamed up Apple?

In this highly scientific study, Rolling Stone takes a hard look at some of the other top contenders to the "next Steve Jobs" title. Consider our finalists, then nominate your own candidates in the comments section below.

KANYE WESTHip-hop star, fashion entrepreneur, provocateur extraordinaireReasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: Tastemaker; strong-willed; revolutionized hip-hopReasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: Less direct effect on the daily, hour-by-hour lives of Earth's millions of inhabitants than the inventor of the iPhoneOdds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 100:1

TIM COOKCEO, Apple, Inc.Reasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: Jobs' handpicked successor at Apple; has overseen enormous profits and continued dominance of the smartphone and tablet markets since Jobs' death in 2011Reasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: Little evidence, so far, of Jobs' creative sparkOdds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 40:1

LENA DUNHAMActress, writer, Rolling Stone cover subjectReasons why she might be the next Steve Jobs: The voice of her generation (or, at least, "a voice of a generation"); strong Twitter presenceReasons why she might not be the next Steve Jobs: Prefers Brooklyn to northern California; rarely if ever wears turtlenecksOdds she is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 150:1

JONATHAN IVESenior Vice President of Industrial Design, Apple, Inc.Reasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: The creative force behind the MacBook Air, iPhone and iPad has taken on larger role since Jobs' death, most recently in the development of Apple's new mobile operating system, iOS7Reasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: Has yet to design a breakthrough product since Jobs' deathOdds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 10:1

NEIL YOUNGSinger-songwriter, audio entrepreneurReasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: Influential rock star; sweet falsetto voice; developing Pono, a super-high-quality music serviceReasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: Worrisome investment history (Young was part owner of toy train manufacturer Lionel, LLC; in 2008, after the company emerged from bankruptcy, his shares were wiped out)Odds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 1,000,000: 1

MARK ZUCKERBERGChairman and CEO of Facebook, Inc.Reasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: Started a social network that's kind of a big deal; has his own signature business-casual look (hoodie, sweatpants, Adidas)Reasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: Led Facebook's long-anticipated – but ultimately botched – initial public offeringOdds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 7:2

ASHTON KUTCHERActor, producer, Steve Jobs look-alikeReasons why he might be the next Steve Jobs: First Twitter user to exceed 1,000,000 followers; impressive web 2.0 investment portfolio (Skype, Foursquare, Airbnb, Path and Fab.com); stars as the titular character in Jobs, a 2013 biopic that premiered at the Sundance Film FestivalReasons why he might not be the next Steve Jobs: He's on Two and a Half MenOdds he is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 2,500:1

MARISSA MAYERPresident and CEO, Yahoo!Reasons why she might be the next Steve Jobs: Tech-world superstar; just bought TumblrReasons why she might not be the next Steve Jobs: Sits on the Walmart board of directors. Nothing is less cool than WalmartOdds she is, in fact, the next Steve Jobs: 500:1